Edelman Hones Digital and Mobile Expertise in Southwest Region with Two New Hires

September 11, 2012, AUSTIN, TX: Edelman announced today that Brad Mays has joined Edelman’s Austin office as a senior vice president in the Digital practice, effective immediately. Also joining Edelman is Tim Hayden, who joins as senior vice president of mobile strategy. Together, Mays and Hayden will be responsible for strengthening the digital and mobile expertise, respectively, building the Southwest region as a new digital hub for Edelman. Brad will report to Morris Denton, executive vice president and general manager of the Austin office, and Tim will report to David Armano, managing director of Edelman Digital in Chicago.

“A well-defined and effective digital practice is becoming critically important in how we service and support our clients and fuel our growth in Austin and beyond,” said Denton. “Brad’s proven track record will help us make an impact very quickly as we strive to build a world class digital hub in Austin.”

Having served in a number of PR roles over the years, Mays built an understanding of online communications as the mediums began to merge. With specific expertise in online issues management, social media strategy and influencer relations. Brad has succeeded in using emerging technologies to help clients find the intersection where brands and consumers meet. He has helped large brands, like ATT, Chevrolet, Hershey’s and others across consumer, tech and telecom navigate the connected online conversations impacting business today.

“Edelman has a reputation for great work and a strong culture. I look forward to building a digital team in the Southwest that approaches our clients’ work with an integrated view and expertise across analytics, digital PR and advertising, creative and social,” said Mays.

Most recently, Mays was global engagement practice group lead for WCG, a PR and analytics agency based in San Francisco. Prior to that, he was a senior vice president and leader in Fleishman-Hillard’s global practice group.

On the mobile front, Tim Hayden brings to Edelman over 20 years of experience in business development, marketing and engagement strategy for brands in the B2B and B2C marketplaces.

“Tim is a solid addition to our team, for strengthening our mobile capabilities as a whole and solidifying our mobile presence,” said Armano. “He will enhance Edelman’s current expertise, which educates, enables and empowers clients on how to nurture relevant and meaningful relationships with their stakeholders through the mobile channel.”

Most recently, Hayden was co-founder and CMO at 44Doors, which developed a mobile marketing platform and mobile marketing services. Prior to co-founding 44Doors, he was a partner at Blue Clover Studios and CEO of GamePlan, an Austin-based experiential agency where he coined the integrated marketing term “Live + Mobile +Online” in 2007.

“The future of marketing and communications will be determined by the freedom of mobility, and our clients are desperate for spherical thinking that can help them navigate this foreign and rapidly changing landscape,” said Hayden.

Edelman is the world’s largest public relations firm, with 65 offices and more than 4,500 employees worldwide, as well as affiliates in more than 30 cities. Edelman was named Advertising Age’s top-ranked PR firm of the decade in 2009 and one of its “A-List Agencies” in both 2010 and 2011; Adweek’s “2011 PR Agency of the Year;” PRWeek’s “2011 Large PR Agency of the Year;” and The Holmes Report’s “2011 Global Agency of the Year” and its 2011 “North American Large Agency of the Year.” Edelman was named one of the “Best Places to Work” by Advertising Age in 2010 and 2012 and among Glassdoor’s top five “2011 Best Places to Work.” Edelman owns specialty firms Blue (advertising), AR Edelman (technology), DJE Science (medical education and biotech), and agencies Edelman Significa (Brazil), and Pegasus (China). Visit http://www.edelman.com for more information.

About Edelman Digital:

Edelman Digital is the world’s first and largest global social agency with over 600 employees worldwide. We leverage the industry’s best talent, combining insight driven business strategy with flawless program execution. This leads to measurable results for our clients and tangible value for their stakeholders.